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LCV Launches $1.5 Million Program to Defeat Five Climate Deniers

‘Flat Earth Five’ aims to defeat five climate-denying House incumbents

WASHINGTON – The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) today announced the launch of a new $1.5 million program aimed at defeating five climate change deniers in the House of Representatives this election cycle. Reps. Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-24) and Dan Benishek (MI-1) are the first candidates named to the program, called the “Flat Earth Five.” A new House incumbent will be named to the program each week over the next three weeks.

“We can’t expect Congress to address climate change when some members of the House of Representatives refuse to admit it even exists. We need to defeat climate deniers like Ann Marie Buerkle and Dan Benishek to restore the place of science on Capitol Hill,” said Gene Karpinski, President of the League of Conservation Voters.

LCV will be spending at least $1.5 million across these five districts on television advertising, direct mail and an extensive phone program letting voters know that these members of Congress are dangerously out-of-step with their district on the issue of climate change. The program also includes LCV member mobilization and a strong media presence in the districts. More information about the Flat Earth Five can be found online at http://www.lcv.org/flatearthfive.

Despite overwhelming scientific evidence that humans are contributing to climate change, Rep. Buerkle has said that “the jury is still out” on climate change, and has even referred to “the global warming myth.” Rep. Benishek has said that climate change is “all baloney” and “just some scheme.” Pointing to his background as a general surgeon, Benishek claims he’s “a scientist” who has the expertise to know that climate change is “unproven science stuff.”

LCV has a proven track record of success. Earlier this year, LCV was crucial in defeating Rep. Tim Holden in his Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s 17th congressional district, running the largest independent expenditure campaign in the race, including a $230,000 television ad buy criticizing Holden for opposing President Obama’s clean energy plan.

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Paid for by the League of Conservation Voters, www.lcv.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.